GOP Hopefuls Covet Bush Family Blessing

The name Bush may not appear on a presidential ballot in 2012, but that doesn’t mean the influence of the family that produced the last two Republican presidents won’t be felt. This year’s crop of presidential hopefuls are seeking the Bushes’ blessing, and the conservative voters and donors that come along with it, ABC News reported Thursday.

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman is the latest possible GOP presidential candidate to make the pilgrimage to the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine to meet with former President George H.W. Bush, his former boss.

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who’s announced Monday that he’s seeking the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, flew to Texas a few weeks ago to meet with Bush.

Many conservatives still hold out hope that Jeb Bush would jump into the race even as the former governor of Florida repeated that he has no intentions of running in 2012.

"Jeb probably has a better chance to unite the establishment and tea party wings of the GOP than anyone else, certainly a better chance than Sarah Palin or Mitt Romney," Rich Lowry, editor of the National Review, wrote earlier this year.

The name Bush may not appear on a presidential ballot in 2012, but that doesn t mean the influence of the family that produced the last two Republican presidents won t be felt. This year s crop of presidential hopefuls are seeking the Bushes blessing, and the conservative...